I had never heard of this before until last Friday. If you talk workouts with me and I don't know what you're talking about, I will spend hours upon hours of researching it. I HAD to know what this was...

Basically it is a 3-5 minute warm up followed by 8 intervals of super high intensity for 20 seconds and then rest for ten seconds then a 3-5 minute cool down....

We did this 8 times last night. OH MY GOSH! My legs hate me, but I love it! I downloaded the Tabata timer on my iPhone last night and it worked like a charm and it was free!

Our workout was designed by my friend Marie (who is studying to be a Personal Trainer through the course I'm about to take with ISSA).

What we did (or as I would like to call it HELL, but in the kindest way possible)...

3 minute warm up of jumping jacks and squat thrusts

Kettlebell Swings

Air Squats (oh goodness these are evil)

Burpees

Pushups

Planks

Jumping Jacks (it's so silly, but I love jumping jacks)

Upright Rows with Kettlebells

Cool down and stretching (I was actually a good girl and stretched well!)

We rotated this with one move being done twice for 8 rounds. After each round, we took a 30 second break. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

This was not a pre-planned workout for me, so it was actually my second workout of the day. I did an interval workout at 6am and when I got the text to see if I wanted to try Tabata with Marie after work, I couldn't pass it up. I was worried all day though that she would kick my butt, I would throw up and she would run circles around me. Don't get me wrong, she totally kicked my butt, but I think I held my own. I felt so accomplished after this. I only did girl pushups for one round!

I guess all of this is to say that I felt accomplished. I realized that I can do more than I think I can. I may have been the one holding me back all along, but let's not put the blame all on me just yet. This time in my life is really the first time that I am just being me. I don't worry about what people think about me. I don't worry about what people say about me. I am not perfect. I know this, but I am trying really hard to just do my best and it feels so good.

No one has everything easy, don't assume that they do. Everything is relative and we all have our own obstacles to overcome. My drive to do what I'm doing now with nutrition and personal training is to share that with others. It is so easy to give in and feel defeated. Trust me, I've been there. I wanted to give up on my body so many times, it's not good, it's not right, but it's what I have. Really though, in the end, giving up would only hurt me more. I'm worth more than that and I can do so much more than I thought I ever could, even with my limitations.

In the end, you have to find you and realize what you want. You don't have to be the strongest person, the fastest person, the smartest person, the funniest person, the most artistic person or the skinniest person, you just have to find who you want to be and make it the best.

Never mind that I can't walk up the stairs today without looking like a 120 year old woman...those kettle swings and air squats are vicious little suckers!

Wow, Sarena, your interval workouts not only workout your body (glad you made up the stairs by the way - saw your comment on Facebook), but sounds like they are really making you think as well. Glad you're are being YOU. After all, you're one of my favorites, and I wouldn't want you trying to be anyone else :)P.S. Love Tabata workouts. I do them on the stationary bike...well, I used to, and they'll always energized me for the rest of the day. Perhaps, I'll try them again in about 6 months. :)

wow woman, love the tabata workout. You know my thoughts on them, ouch! but in a good way. I am so happy to hear you WORKING towards your passions. No one is perfect but passion makes any job worth striving for. Thanks for the inspiration!

Holy cow lady- that is one heck of a workout. BTW- Bob had us doing air squats the last time and yeah, they are not fun. :) And like Heather said, I too am glad you made it up the stairs. Ha ha.Thanks for the inspiration. I'm so excited for you and your journey you're with personal training and everything. We've bene put here for a reason and all have different gifts to share. :) This post was a much needed read right now friend. THANK YOU! And.. thank you for letting Flat Kitty make enchiladas with your family. He's getting spoiled over there.

Yikes, Sarena!! You have me sold. I want to try this. It looks awesome. I am doing the Insanity workout right now (by Beachbody) and it sounds a little similar, but now I want to try yours!! Way to go on holding your own, too!! THat is awesome! This totally sounds like my kind of workout, for sure!

Woohoo!! high 5's my friend. Love love love it. I need to do a tabata/HIIT workout and add in the kettlebells. Maybe this weekend I'll do that since I can't run. Doesn't it feel good to kick your own butt?!